Father Speaks Out After Wrong Way Wreck Kills Daughter
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A grieving father spoke out after authorities said his young daughter was killed by a man driving the wrong way on I-95.
"This accident shouldn't have happened like this, not like this, in this community," said Noel Criales. His daughter Carmen was killed in the accident.
Family members gathered outside Jackson Memorial Hospital Monday to speak out about the crash that took his daughter's life and left two others, the girl's brother and mother, fighting for their own.
Florida Highway Patrol said Carmen Criales, 23, was killed while driving her Honda Civic northbound on I-95 near S.W. 8th Street.
Her 21-year-old brother Bryan and 43-year-old mother, Elisa Diaz, were in the car with her and were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Franklin Chavez, 24, was driving the wrong way and struck them, said FHP.
"This individual, this man, was going the wrong direction," said Noel. "He hit my daughter. He killed my daughter and this man, he is still alive."
Noel said his daughter was heading to Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on a trip to New Jersey for medical school orientation.
"I need all the Peruvian people to pray for my daughter and my son. I need help from them. She was my baby," Noel said.
Franklin Chavez is recovering at the hospital. His relatives told CBS4 reporter Peter D'Oench they did not want to say anything.
Noel said he's worried about his son and Carmen's mother, his ex-wife.
"My son needs help. He has injuries to his brain."
Bryan Criales had surgery earlier in the day. Both he and Carmen's mother are in critical condition.
FHP is investigating, trying to determine why Chavez was going the wrong way and whether or not he was impaired.
So far, no charges have been filed.
The family has set up a Go Fund Me page to pay for Carmen's burial expenses and medical expenses at the hospital for her brother and mother.